The answer was ... Richard Nixon, and Mr Carpenter knew it.

And he hit the jackpot without using any of his three "lifelines" - ask the audience, phone a friend or 50-50.

Quizzed by reporters outside his home in Hamden, Mr Carpenter said: "How do you think I feel? Pretty good ..."

Global smash

The TV show, which originated in Britain, has been a massive international success.

In Britain it has achieved ratings of 18 million viewers.

Rights for copying the show have been sold to broadcasters in the US, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Poland, Russia and Australia.

The US television network ABC bought the show and was rewarded with huge ratings for its first run in August.

The US show is presented by TV veteran Regis Philbin, while the UK version is fronted by broadcaster Chris Tarrant.

The highest amount won in the UK was earlier this year when father-of-four Jonathan Green, won £250,000 after correctly answering 13 multiple-choice questions.